We’ve all been there — helplessly watching as everything around us feels like it’s crumbling. Especially in the last year or so. These are difficult times, and now more than ever, it’s evident that even a small gesture of kindness can go a long, long way. If you’ve been wondering how you can contribute your time and effort to make a difference, we’re here to help.
Here are 5 NGOs you can volunteer with who are creating an impact and working towards education, child rights, hunger eradication, and much more.
1. People For Animals (PFA): With a nationwide network of 26 hospitals, 165 units, 60 mobile units and 2.5 lakh members, PFA is India’s largest animal welfare organization. They rescue and rehabilitate sick and abandoned animals and have a number of shelters, ambulance services, sterilization programs and disaster rescue missions among others.
If you’re looking to make this a better world for hundreds of voiceless souls, then PFA is just the place for you.
You can volunteer at Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre, Raja Garden, Near Shivaji College and Home Guard Office, New Delhi. Or look for PFA in your city. This will include public relations, adoption and donation drives for stray animals, social media management, grooming, cleaning and feeding animals.
2. eVidyaloka: eVidyaloka was founded in 2011, by Satish and Venkat, colleagues at Microsoft India, with the passion to bring volunteerism and technology together, to enable quality education for the children of remote and rural villages of India. They create virtual learning programs for children in remote villages, with the support of local communities and volunteers. Their aim is to give children in rural India the best quality of education so that they can have a chance of a promising future.
No matter where you are, you can volunteer at eVidyaloka by dedicating your time to teach children remotely. With lesson plans and teaching aids for a consistent learning experience, you will have a direct impact on these children.
3. Goonj: Since 1999, Goonj has built a network of communities from urban to rural India, channelizing material as a tool to address crucial gaps in rural infrastructure, water, environment, livelihood, education, health, disaster relief and rehabilitation. Its engagement with both the urban and rural populations has galvanized mass civic participation in addressing basic but neglected issues. They’ve played an important role in supporting marginalized communities throughout the pandemic.
You can volunteer in different ways for Goonj — whether it’s spreading the word about their initiatives or organizing sessions in schools and colleges, you can directly be involved in creating an impact.
3. Khaana Chahiya: Khaana Chahiye Foundation was started as a citizen-led campaign in March 2020 to meet the immediate food demands of the homeless, migrant workers, daily wage labourers, and other vulnerable populations in the city of Mumbai. This soon evolved into a volunteer-driven organization striving to eliminate hunger in Mumbai. Today, they’re distributing grocery kits to those in need to help them survive the second wave.
Hunger is one of the biggest hurdles millions of Indians face, especially amid the pandemic. If this cause is close to your heart and you want to fill the lives of hundreds of people with hope, you can volunteer with Khaana Chahiye on-ground or remotely.
4. Snehalaya: Snehalaya was founded in 1989 to provide support for women, children and LGBT communities, who have been affected by HIV and AIDS, trafficking, sexual violence, and poverty. They operate in Ahmednagar, a town and district in the agricultural region of Maharashtra, India, and provide services to over 15,000 beneficiaries annually. Their aim is to provide rescue, rights and rehabilitative services to the communities in most need, and to offer a safe exit point to women and their children trapped in the crippling cycle of poverty and abuse.
With a number of targeted projects and a busy head office, Snehalaya is always looking for volunteers to be a part of their family. Your time at Snehalaya is sure to make a difference to hundreds of women, children and those from the LGBTQIA+ community.
5. HelpAge India: Set up in 1978, HelpAge envisions a society where elderly have the right to an active, healthy and dignified life. It recently became the first and only Indian organization to be honoured with the ‘UN Population Award 2020’. It works through 26 State Offices across India, runs numerous programs on-ground, addressing elder needs and advocating for their rights, such as their right to Universal Pension, quality Healthcare, action against Elder Abuse and many more at a national, state and societal level with Central and State governments.
Their efforts, even throughout the pandemic, have been tremendous. They’re giving hundreds of senior citizens a better life. Volunteer with them and bring a smile to the faces of those who have suffered through so much heartbreak during the last years of their lives.
You can support other such NGOs here.
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